There’s something incredibly comforting about layers of creamy cheese, tender mushrooms, and vibrant spinach all baked up in one dish. This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe hits that perfect note between hearty and fresh, making it a go-to for cozy dinners that feel special without a ton of fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe – the moment I took it out of the oven, the aroma alone had me hooked. It’s been my little secret for impressing guests and enjoying a hearty meal any night of the week without too much stress.
- Richly Creamy Layers: The blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and a velvety white sauce creates a luscious texture that melts in your mouth.
- Earthy, Flavorful Mushrooms: Using a mix of button and cremini mushrooms really deepens the savory taste, giving the lasagna a robust character.
- Vibrant Spinach Touch: Adding fresh baby spinach balances the richness and adds a comforting, fresh bite that keeps it light.
- Easy No-Boil Noodles: The no-cook lasagna noodles save time and mess, so you can focus on building your layers and enjoying the process.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe combines fresh and creamy ingredients that complement one another beautifully. Each element has its place — from the silky ricotta mixture to the flavorful sautéed mushrooms and sautéed spinach, everything works in harmony to create those perfect layers.
- Ricotta Cheese: Provides that smooth, creamy base for the cheese layers. Look for fresh ricotta with a mild flavor and a slightly grainy texture that’s perfect for mixing.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Adds melty cheesiness and a beautiful gooey texture between layers and on top.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan boosts savory depth and brings a subtle sharpness.
- Egg: Acts like a binder in the ricotta mixture, helping it hold together as the lasagna bakes.
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens the cheese mixture and adds a mild herbaceous note.
- Nutmeg: Just a dash works wonders in both the ricotta mixture and the béchamel (white sauce), enhancing the flavors with warmth.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing and making the rich white sauce that gives the lasagna such a creamy consistency.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and a subtle flavor base — sauté it gently to bring out maximum flavor.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach adds color, nutrients, and a delicate texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy layers.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch adds just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming the dish.
- Button and Cremini Mushrooms: A combo of these varieties provides earthiness and depth; I love the mix for better texture and flavor.
- Garlic: Enhances the mushrooms and adds that unmistakable savory punch.
- No-Cook Lasagna Noodles: These save time by making boiling unnecessary and absorb flavor beautifully as they bake.
- Flour: Used in the white sauce to create a smooth, thick béchamel.
- Whole Milk: Makes the white sauce rich and creamy, perfect for saturating the noodles without being heavy.
- Sea Salt & Freshly Cracked Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance every flavor in the dish.
Make It Your Way
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe has been my canvas for small tweaks depending on the season and what I have at home. Don’t hesitate to make it your own by playing with add-ins or swapping cheeses to suit your taste.
- Variation: I’ve sometimes added sautéed artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers for a bit more texture and tang — it’s a nice twist when you want to surprise your family.
- Dietary modification: For a gluten-free version, swap the noodles for gluten-free no-boil pasta sheets and use a lactose-free milk alternative in the white sauce.
- Cheese swaps: Manchego or fontina work beautifully if you want a slightly different cheesy flavor, but mozzarella keeps it classic.
- Make it vegan: You can experiment with a tofu ricotta and plant-based milk béchamel, plus vegan cheeses to keep that creamy vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Make the Ricotta Cheese Mixture
Start by combining ricotta, shredded mozzarella, freshly grated Parmesan, the beaten egg, chopped parsley, and a tiny dash of freshly grated nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Stir it all together until it’s creamy and combined. This mixture is what ties the layers together — be sure not to overbeat it or it might get too runny.
Step 2: Sauté Onions & Spinach
Heat a bit of butter over medium heat and gently cook the diced onion until tender and sweet, about 4-5 minutes. Toss in the baby spinach and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking just until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper and set aside in a bowl. This step adds freshness and a delicate balance to the creamy layers.
Step 3: Cook the Mushrooms
In the same skillet, melt more butter and add your sliced mushrooms. Cook over medium-high heat without stirring too much — letting them brown a bit makes all the flavor difference. Add garlic, salt, and pepper, then cook for another minute. Let the mushrooms cool in a separate bowl. The goal here is deeply caramelized mushrooms that don’t release soggy water in your lasagna.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy White Sauce (Béchamel)
Melt the last of the butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, then slowly whisk in the milk, continuing until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Add your nutmeg, salt, and pepper to season. This sauce is the magic that makes your layers irresistibly creamy and cohesive.
Step 5: Assemble Your Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease your baking dish. Start with a layer of white sauce, then place the no-cook noodles on top. Spread some ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the spinach and half of the mushrooms. Sprinkle mozzarella over that. Repeat with another layer, then top with noodles again, remaining white sauce, mozzarella, and a final dusting of Parmesan. It’s a bit like painting layers — take your time for even distribution.
Step 6: Bake and Rest
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing — this wait is key for setting the layers so they don’t slide apart when plated.
Top Tip
After years of making this dish, I’ve learned that patience in both cooking the mushrooms and resting the lasagna makes all the difference in flavor and texture. Here are my top personal tips to get the best results.
- Mushroom Browning: Resist the urge to stir constantly; letting mushrooms sit undisturbed helps caramelize them and intensifies their flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Nutmeg: It adds a subtle warmth that blends perfectly with the creamy cheese and white sauce — it’s a small but powerful touch.
- Use No-Cook Noodles: They absorb sauce beautifully and save you from extra prep, but make sure layers are generous with sauce so the noodles don’t dry out.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes after baking helps everything set, making slicing easier and presentation neater.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I almost always finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley — it brightens the entire dish and adds a pop of color that makes the serving feel fresh and inviting. A little extra grated Parmesan on top also never hurts, especially right before serving.
Side Dishes
I love pairing this lasagna with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or a crisp Caesar salad for a classic combo. Roasted seasonal veggies like asparagus or Brussels sprouts work well too to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served individual portions in small ramekins for a pretty presentation that feels personalized. And sometimes, I top the lasagna with edible flowers or microgreens for a restaurant-worthy look that wows guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the lasagna has cooled completely, I cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for 3-4 days, and honestly, the flavors meld even more overnight.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen portions wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Freezing works great if you want to prep in advance or save leftovers for a quick meal.
Reheating
I prefer reheating in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to prevent drying out. About 20-25 minutes until warmed through works great. You can uncover for the last few minutes to refresh that golden top.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can cook the lasagna noodles ahead according to package instructions. The layering and baking process remains the same, though the no-cook noodles really save time and absorb sauce wonderfully.
Make sure to sauté mushrooms until nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated before adding them to the dish. Also, don’t skimp on the white sauce layers, as they help the noodles absorb excess liquid. Resting the lasagna after baking helps it set, minimizing any watery texture.
You can try substituting dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use a non-dairy milk to make the white sauce. Keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly, so choose creamy vegan cheeses and a thicker plant milk like oat or cashew for best results.
Definitely! This recipe is versatile. You can add roasted red peppers, zucchini slices, or even artichoke hearts. Just sauté or roast them first to prevent extra moisture and layer them with the spinach and mushrooms for added flavor complexity.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe is one of those dishes I come back to again and again when I want something filling yet fresh and a bit elevated. The way the creamy layers, earthy mushrooms, and bright spinach come together reminds me that simple ingredients treated with care can become something truly special. Give this recipe a try on your next cozy night in — I promise it’ll be a new favorite you’ll want to make over and over too.
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Creamy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy mushroom and spinach lasagna is a rich and comforting dish featuring layers of ricotta, mozzarella, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a velvety white sauce made with butter, flour, and whole milk. Enhanced with fresh herbs and nutmeg, it’s baked to golden perfection for a hearty vegetarian main course perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Dash of fresh nutmeg, grated
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- ½ small sweet yellow onion, diced
- 2 large handfuls baby spinach
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Butter & Sauce
- 1½ tablespoon butter, divided
- 2½ tablespoon butter
- 2½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- Dash of fresh nutmeg, grated
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Other
- No-cook lasagna noodles
- Additional shredded mozzarella cheese for layers and topping
- Additional freshly grated parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Cooking spray for dish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoon grated parmesan, 1 beaten small egg, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, a dash of grated nutmeg, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Stir well until smooth and set aside.
- Cook Onion and Spinach: Heat ½ tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until soft. Add baby spinach and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes; cook while stirring for 1 minute until spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced button and cremini mushrooms; cook without stirring much for 4 minutes to brown. Stir in minced garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and transfer to a separate bowl.
- Make the White Sauce: Heat 2½ tablespoons butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in 2½ tablespoons flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to cook the flour. Slowly pour in 2½ cups whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until sauce bubbles and thickens. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spoon a thin layer of white sauce into the bottom of the dish. Layer no-cook lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then half the spinach, followed by half the mushrooms, and a light sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Repeat with a second noodle layer and remaining ricotta, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella. Top with a third layer of noodles, pour remaining white sauce evenly, then sprinkle with additional mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Bake: Place lasagna in the oven and bake for 40 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley. Slice and serve warm. Enjoy your creamy mushroom and spinach lasagna!
Notes
- For a quicker version, precook the lasagna noodles if desired, though no-cook noodles work well when baked.
- Use fresh mushrooms for best flavor and texture; shiitake or portobello can be substituted.
- Adjust seasoning carefully as cheeses add saltiness.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- To make it vegan, substitute ricotta and cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use a vegan milk for the white sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
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